Big Plays Spell Defeat for Nicolet at Homestead, 45-7

“The first quarter was a slugfest,” said Nicolet coach Brad Kozaczuk.

Homestead just had the bigger hits, pulling away for a 45-7 football victory over Nicolet on Friday night at Homestead.

Nicolet, which had won its first two games for the first time in 11 years, is 2-1 overall and 0-1 in the North Shore Conference. Homestead, winner of 61 consecutive league games, is 2-1 and 1-0.

On the second play of the game Jay Schneider from Homestead ripped off a 77-yard touchdown run.

Nicolet responded with a surgical 80-yard drive in just 6 plays, capped off with a 12-yard run by quarterback Brandon Kappel. He was also 2 for 2 on the drive, connecting with his receivers in stride down the middle of the field for 16 and 22 yards.

Homestead hit right back with an 80-yard bomb down the visitor’s sideline to Stephen Sheperd.

On Nicolet’s next drive Kappel threw an interception, which was returned 45 yards by Schneider. Homestead took advantage of the turnover and quickly made it 21-7. Nicolet recovered a fumble late in the first quarter but missed a field goal on the drive to start the second quarter.

From then on Nicolet was inconsistent, pulling off some nice plays but then stalling out near midfield.

“We had a couple of chances and we just couldn’t put them in,” said Kozaczuk after the game.

Kozaczuk was complimentary of Homestead after the game and said that it was their first real test of the year against a very good team.

Homestead outgained Nicolet 478 to 248 yards.  Kappel ended the game 10 of 25 for 148 yards and an interception. He tacked on another 35 yards on eight rushes and had Nicolet’s only score.

Treland Jenkins led Nicolet in all-purpose yardage with 115 yards. He had 3 receptions for 79 yards and 9 rushes for 36 yards. Alex Walker from Nicolet contributed 4 catches for 45 yards.